Practical synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid from N-acetylfurfurylamine

5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) is known as a selective herbicide and one of th e agricultural chemicals which promote the growth of plants. The authors st udied on the practical synthesis of ALA from N-acetylfurfurylamine (AcFA). AcFA was converted to 2-acetamidomethyl-2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran by e lectrolytic or bromine-methanol oxidation. It was changed to the tetrahydro compound by catalytic reduction with Raney Ni under ordinary temperature a nd pressure. The tetrahydro compound was oxidized to N-acetyl-ALA with pota ssium permanganate in a diluted sulfuric acid solution. N-Acetyl-ALA gave A LA hydrochloride by the hydrolysis with diluted hydrochloric acid. Overall yield of ALA hydrochroride was about 42%.